Arts and Culture

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present its first-ever devised production, in which the entire creative team develops the script and show collaboratively. The world premiere of Finding Home celebrates members of historically marginalized communities who have shared their experiences at NMU and in the Marquette area. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4-5 and 9-12 in the Panowski Black Box Theatre. A sensory-friendly performance will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.

Northern Michigan University Music Professor Barbara Rhyneer was honored as arts educator of the year at the 25th annual awards ceremony recognizing individuals who have made an impact on arts and culture in Marquette. She has been teaching and conducting the symphony orchestra at NMU since 1997.

At least two of the documentaries being screened at the Fresh Coast Film Festival Oct. 13-16 in Marquette were created by NMU alumni and students. Cameron Mattson and Kevin Paczesny, who began collaborating on projects as NMU digital cinema students, will premiere "All Hop'd UP," which explores the unique craft brewing subculture that has been growing in the Marquette area since the mid-1990s. Current student Fischer Genau's first film, "From the Ground Up," is about Partridge Creek Farm in Ishpeming, where he is completing an internship.

Flutist and educator Adam Sadberry will be accompanied by pianist Wynona Wang for a concert on "Togetherness" on Monday, Oct. 17, as part of Northern Michigan University's Siril Concert Series. Both are award-winning musicians. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall. 

Northern Michigan University's Symphony Orchestra, University Choir and Arts Chorale will perform the Midwestern premiere of THE UNARMED CHILD at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The nine-movement work was composed by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, 2021 winner of the American Prize in Choral Composition, in response to gun violence against children.

Argentinian filmmaker Lucila Podestá will discuss documentary topics and her award-winning short film, which she shot with a phone after an accident during COVID-19, as a guest speaker for Northern Michigan University's Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies. Her presentation begins at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in 109 Harden Hall. The public is invited.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University is seeking nominations from the public for the 2022 Upper Peninsula Folklife Awards. The deadline is Oct. 16. 

Northern Michigan University English Professor Lynn Domina is holding a monthly webinar titled “Let's Talk About Books,” which features writers discussing their recently published works. The webinar will touch on topics including medieval queens, science fiction and the effect of sermons on politics.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” winner of a Tony Award for Best Book, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14-15 and 19-22 in Forest Roberts Theatre.

Northern Michigan University's English Department will host visiting writer Caroline Hovanec, who will give a presentation on “Vermin Theory: Parasitic Life from Kafka's Metamorphosis to Rawi Hage's Cockroaches.” Hovin will explore the usage of vermin in stories and how literature uses it to think differently about hospitality, debt and the re-assigned potential of the parasite. The presentation will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in 1313 Jamrich Hall.